St. Louis Bike Routes
Explore the best St. Louis bike routes for river-bluff singletrack, scenic greenway rides, and rolling gravel. Use this guide and the route planner to find rides that match your goals and riding style.
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Best St. Louis Bike Routes for Different Ride Goals
The best St. Louis bike route depends on what you're after. Here's how to match your ride goal to the right route:
- Fitness & training: Flat, fast greenway loops like Forest Park (6 miles) let you hold a steady effort and track splits.
- Scenic cruising: The Katy Trail and River Des Peres Greenway deliver river views, wildlife, and gentle grades.
- Family outings: Creve Coeur Lake and Grant's Trail are flat, safe, and short enough for kids.
- Gravel adventure: The rural roads around Augusta and Defiance offer rolling hills, wineries, and uncrowded limestone roads.
- Mountain challenge: Castlewood and Chubb serve up bluff climbs and technical singletrack for a harder day.
- Commuting: The River Des Peres Greenway and planned Chouteau Greenway connect neighborhoods to downtown with separated paths.
Use our route planner above to get a personalized recommendation based on your goals.
Types of Bike Routes in St. Louis
Beginner-Friendly Bike Routes in St. Louis
Beginner-friendly routes in St. Louis prioritize flat, paved, low-stress riding with plenty of places to stop. The Forest Park paved loop is the classic — 6 miles, car-free, with water and restrooms. Creve Coeur Lake Park offers a 3.7-mile loop with playgrounds and a cafe. Grant's Trail is a smooth 8-mile rail-trail with Grant's Farm as a destination. For a longer but still easy ride, a Katy Trail section like Augusta to Dutzow is flat crushed limestone with wine-country scenery. All of these routes work on any bike — hybrid, gravel, or road — and are perfect for building confidence and fitness.
Scenic Bike Routes in St. Louis
For scenic riding, St. Louis shines on the water. The Katy Trail along the Missouri River is one of the most beautiful rail-trails in the country — ride it in fall for color and crisp air. The River Des Peres Greenway follows the river through the city with surprising wildlife for an urban path. The Riverfront Trail to the Chain of Rocks Bridge offers a historic Mississippi River crossing with a dramatic mid-span bend. For a gravel scenic route, the rolling roads through Augusta wine country combine bluffs, vineyards, and quiet limestone roads — especially stunning in late afternoon light.
Custom Bike Routes with the St. Louis Route Planner
Want a route built around your exact starting point, distance, and style? Our AI-powered St. Louis route planner does just that. Enter your starting location, how long you want to ride, your preferred distance, and your difficulty and theme, and the planner generates personalized recommendations with real St. Louis streets, greenways, and trails. You'll get turn-by-turn highlights, estimated duration, and the best time to ride. Save routes to your profile to ride them again or share them with friends. It's the fastest way to find a new favorite ride in St. Louis.
How to Choose the Right St. Louis Bike Route
Choosing the right St. Louis bike route comes down to four things:
- Your bike: Road and hybrid bikes suit paved greenways; gravel bikes open up Katy Trail and rural roads; mountain bikes are for Castlewood and Chubb.
- Your time: Short on time? Pick a park loop. Have a half-day? Head to the Katy Trail or build a greenway-to-greenway route.
- Your fitness: Match the route's distance and elevation to your current shape — start shorter and build up.
- Your goal: Fitness, scenery, family fun, or adventure? Each goal points to a different set of routes.
Use the route planner above to turn those preferences into a concrete route in seconds.
What to Know Before Riding in St. Louis
Before you set out on a St. Louis route, a quick checklist:
- Check the weather: St. Louis weather changes fast — spring storms and summer heat are the main things to watch.
- Hydrate: Carry water for the distance, plus extra in summer humidity.
- Know your surface: Paved greenways are rideable on any bike; the Katy Trail needs at least 32mm tires; singletrack needs a mountain bike.
- Carry a flat kit: Tube, pump or CO2, levers, and a multi-tool cover most roadside issues.
- Share your plan: For longer or remote routes, let someone know where you're riding and when you expect to be back.
A few minutes of prep means a smoother, safer, more enjoyable ride.
Explore St. Louis's Bike Trails
Check out our guide to the best bike trails in St. Louis with detailed descriptions and ratings.
Find Local Shops
Discover bike shops in St. Louis for gear, repairs, and refreshments along your route.
Join Group Rides
Connect with St. Louis bike group rides and explore these routes with other cyclists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the St. Louis route planner work?
Enter your starting location, desired duration, distance, difficulty, and an optional theme. Our AI generates three personalized route recommendations using real St. Louis streets, greenways, and trails, with highlights, estimated time, and the best time to ride. Save any route to your profile to revisit or share it.
What's the best scenic bike route in St. Louis?
The Katy Trail along the Missouri River is the standout, especially the Augusta to Dutzow section. Closer to the city, the River Des Peres Greenway and the Riverfront Trail to the Chain of Rocks Bridge offer beautiful water views. Fall is the best season for scenic riding in St. Louis.
Are there good gravel routes near St. Louis?
Yes — the rural roads around Augusta, Defiance, and Dutzow in the Missouri River hills are gravel-bike paradise, with rolling terrain, wineries, and quiet limestone roads. Combine a gravel loop with a Katy Trail section for a mixed-surface adventure.
Can I bike from downtown St. Louis to Forest Park?
Yes — the River Des Peres Greenway and the developing Chouteau Greenway are connecting downtown to Forest Park with separated paths and bike lanes. It's a great urban ride that links the riverfront to the city's signature park and its 6-mile paved loop.
What bike do I need for St. Louis routes?
A hybrid or gravel bike is the most versatile — it handles paved greenways, the Katy Trail, and rural gravel. A road bike is great for paved loops and greenways. For Castlewood, Chubb, and other singletrack, you need a mountain bike with capable tires.